Level adjustment system and method for free standing poles and structural columns

ABSTRACT

Four bolts in a square configuration are installed in a base member of concrete with the threaded portions of the bolts protruding above the surface of the base member. A nut is attached to each of the bolts and above the nut, a washer is installed. A leveling tool is in the form of a plate of a flat rigid non bendable material such as aluminum. The leveling tool has an aperture in its center and four slots which are spaced evenly from each other around the tool and extend radially away the central aperture. The bolts are each fitted into one of the slots with the edges of the slots abutting against the washers. A leveling gage is installed on the surface of the tool. The nuts are then adjustably positioned until the gage indicates that the tool is vertically level. The tool is then removed and the four bolts and washers used to provide a level support for the base of a pole or other vertical support structure.

This Application is based on Provisional Application No. 60/900,002 filed Feb. 17, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention is related to vertically standing poles and columns and more particularly to a system and method employing a tool which employs nuts vertically adjustable on bolts to provide a level support for such poles and columns.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In the prior art, poles are generally leveled by installing four bolts in a concrete base spaced from each other as are the mounting holes in the base of the pole Nuts with washers over them are then installed on each of the bolts. The nuts on pairs of bolts are then successively vertically adjusted so they are level with each other with a Torpedo level which is placed between two nuts. This type of leveling operation is repeated with different pairs of nuts until all are indicated to be in a level state. The base of the pole is then mounted on the bolts and additional leveling is done. This is a rather tedious and time consuming operation and is readily subject to errors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The system of the present invention has four threaded bolts, which are installed in a concrete block with their threaded portions protruding upwardly above the surface of the block. The bolts are positioned in a circular configuration spaced equally from each other around the block. A nut is installed on each of the bolts and a washer may be installed over each bolt between the nut and the bolt. A plate which serves as a removable tool is fabricated of a rigid material which may be of aluminum and is thick enough to resist bending. The tool plate has a central aperture and four slots equally spaced from each other which run from the central aperture towards the periphery of the plate. Each of the bolts is fitted into a separate one of said slots with the edges of each slot being supported either directly on the bolt or on a washer fitted on the bolt. A leveling gage is mounted on the plate. The nuts are adjusted in position on each of the bolts to bring the plate into a level position as indicated by the gage. The tool plate is then removed for use on another installation with the four bolts providing an accurately level support for the pole.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention with the tool removed.

FIG. 2 is side perspective view of the preferred embodiment with the tool removed.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the preferred embodiment with the tool installed in position.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment with the tool installed in position.

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view showing the preferred embodiment with a pole installed thereon.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an arch which may be employed to support the level;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the arch shown in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the leveler and its tensioner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The device and method of the present invention has many advantages over this prior art approach. First, the accuracy of the achieved level is greatly improved over the prior art approach which involves the use of a torpedo level to level from one bolt to the next. The use of the flat plate of the tool of the present invention with a circular level mounted on it allows a complete and accurate leveling in a simple operation, thereby minimizing the possibility of any error between the support points.

Further, by pre-leveling the bottom nut prior to pole installation, there is no need to leave a large gap for future adjustment. Recessing the bolts into the concrete allows the pole base direct contact with the concrete base with no resulting gap; or the nuts can be leveled closer to the concrete base, resulting in a smaller gap. By either minimizing the adjustment gap or eliminating it entirely, a much stronger and more structurally sound installation of the pole is obtained. The need for expansion material (dry pack) is also reduced or eliminated. In addition, the poles are automatically pre-plumb with no additional adjustment needed after installation.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated. Concrete base 11 is preferably circular in configuration and rests on the ground where the pole for a light or other purpose is to be installed. Embedded in the concrete are four bolts 12 a-12 d with the threaded portions above the surface of the concrete. The bolts are arranged in a circular configuration, equidistant from each other. A nut 17 is threadably attached to each bolt 12 a-12 d in a position spaced upwardly from the surface of the concrete base.

The bolts may have a lower nut 13 embedded in the concrete to which they are threadably attached, as shown in FIG. 3. On top of each of the nuts 17 a-17 d is a washer 14 a-14 d. It is to be noted that while the washers are helpful, they are not essential to make for an operative device. In the center of the concrete base, are a pair of conduits 15 and 16 which run through the base and can be used to carry electrical lines for lights or other devices which may be mounted on the pole.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the tool 24 used to level the device is illustrated. This tool is fabricated of a rigid material which may be a sheet of aluminum of about one inch in thickness. The tool has a central aperture 21 which may be round or rectangular and through which the conduits 15 and 16 for electrical lines may pass. Four slots 30 a-30 d are formed in the tool. These slots are equally spaced and run from the central aperture 21 to the periphery of the tool. Fitted in each of the slots is one of bolts 12 a-12 d. The edges of the slots abut against the washers 14 a-14 d which are directly beneath them. A substantially rectangular slot 33 is formed in the tool to facilitate its handling.

A level 32 is provided, this level being commercially available. A level which may be used is identified as follows: (inventor please give us model and manufacturer). The nuts 17 a-17 d are each manually adjusted on bolts 12 a-12 d respectively until accurate leveling of the tool is indicated by level 32. The desired leveling for the pole base is now provided and the tool can be removed for future use.

Referring to FIG. 5, the support of a pole 40 on the leveled support is illustrated. The bolts 12 a-12 d are fitted through apertures 40 a formed in the base plate 40 b of the pole with the base plate 40 b resting on the washers and bolts leveled with the leveling tool.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, an alternate structure for balancing the tool 20 is shown. In this instance, the tool 20 is exactly as previously described in conjunction with its balancing except that the leveler 32 is placed on an arch 41 above the tool plate. This provides some simulation of height. It is necessary, however that the top portion of the arch be precisely parallel to the surface of the base tool.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a stabilizing device for supporting leveler 32 firmly in position is illustrated. The leveler is attached to support plate 34 by means of bolts 36 which threadably engage the plate and are adjusted to bring the level to a level position. Wavy washer 37 abuts against arch 41and the leveler 32 to tension the leveler firmly in position.

While the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, this is to be taken by way of illustration and example only and not by way of limitation, the spirit and scope of the invention being determined by the following claims. 

1. A system for mounting a support for a vertical structure in a vertically level orientation comprising: a solid support base; four bolts installed in said base, said bolts being arranged away from each other in a substantially circular configuration; a nut threadably engaging each of said bolts; a tool fabricated of a flat substantially non bendable material, said tool having an aperture formed in the center thereof and four slots extending radially away from said aperture and spaced from each other evenly about said tool; each of said bolts being fitted into a separate one of said apertures with the nuts on said bolts supporting said tool; and a leveling instrument supported on said tool; whereby each of said nuts is vertically adjusted to bring said tool to a level position, the tool then being removed with the nuts providing a vertically level support for the vertical structure.
 2. The system of claim 1 and further including a washer between each of said nuts and the tool.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein said tool is fabricated of aluminum.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein said vertical structure is a pole.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein said base structure is of concrete.
 6. A system for use in leveling a pole to a precise vertical orientation comprising: a concrete block support member; four bolts fixedly joined to said block in a substantially circular configuration; a nut threadably engaging each of said bolts; a rigid substantially unbendable flat plate forming a tool having four slots and a central aperture formed therein, said slots running from the central aperture towards the periphery of said plate and being equally spaced from each other; each of said bolts being fitted in a separate one of said slots with the edges of each slot being supported by the nut attached to the bolt fitted therein; and a leveling gage mounted on said tool; the nuts being adjusted in position on said bolts to bring the tool to a level position as indicated by the gage;
 7. The system of claim 6 therein said-tool is fabricated of rigid aluminum;
 8. The system of claim 6 wherein a washer is installed between each of the nuts and the tool;
 9. The system of claim 6 wherein said tool includes an arched stand mounted on the plate portion of the tool, said leveling gage beng mounted on top of said stand;
 10. A system for leveling a tool to a precise vertical orientation comprising; a concrete block support member; four bolts fixedly joined to said block member in a substantially circular configuration; a nut threadably engaging each of said bolts; a washer installed on top of each nut; a rigid substantially flat aluminum plate forming a tool having four slots and a central aperture; said slots being equally spaced from each other; each of said bolts being fitted in a separate one of said slots with the nuts on the bolts supporting the tool; and a leveling instrument supported on the tool; whereby each of said nuts is vertically adjusted on its associated bolt to bring said tool to a level position, the tool then being removed, with the nuts providing a vertically level support for the pole.
 11. A method for providing a level support in a vertical position for a pole comprising the steps of: installing four bolts in a concrete block with the top end of said bolts protruding from the top surface of said block, said bolts being positioned in a circular configuration spaced around the surface of said block; installing a nut on each of said bolts; installing a flat plate of rigid material forming a tool having a central aperture and four slots formed therein, said slots being equally spaced from each other and extending from the central aperture towards the periphery of said plate; said flat plate being installed with each bolt fitted into one of said slots and the edges of the bolts abutting against the edges of the slots; installing a leveling gage on said plate; adjusting each of said nuts on its associated bolt to level the plate as indicated by the leveling gage; and removing the flat plate tool for future use, the four nuts having been adjusted to support the pole in a level position.
 12. The method of claim 11 and additional including the step of placing a washer under each of the nuts;
 13. The method of claim 11 wherein the tool additionally includes an arched stand and the step of mounting said stand on said plate.
 14. The method of claim 13 and further including mounting the leveler on the top of the stand. 